Message of the Day
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"Many people think that they are achieving great things in external works such as fasting, going barefoot and other such practices which are called penances. But true penance, and the best kind of penance, is that whereby we can improve
ourselves greatly and in the highest measure, and this consists in turning entirely away from all that is not God, or of God in ourselves and in all creatures, and in turning fully and completely towards our beloved God in an unshakeable love so that our devotions and desire for him become great."
- Meister Eckhart -
(". . . turning entirely away from all that is not God." What would this mean for you at this time?)
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Readings of the Day
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2 THES 1:1-5, 11-12; PS 96:1-5; MT 23:13-22
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
For great is the LORD and highly to be
praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Gospel
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Why must the Messiah be rejected and killed? Did not God promise that his Anointed One would deliver his people from their oppression and establish a
kingdom of peace and justice? The prophet Isaiah had foretold that it was God's will that the "Suffering Servant" make atonement for sins through his suffering and death. Jesus paid the price for our redemption with his blood. Slavery to sin is to want the wrong things and to be in bondage to destructive desires. The ransom Jesus paid sets us free from the worst tyranny possible - the tyranny of sin and the fear of death. Jesus' victory did not end with death but triumphed over the tomb. Jesus
defeated the powers of death through his resurrection. Do you want the greatest freedom possible, the freedom to live as God truly meant us to live as his sons and daughtersWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
When it came to the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus never pulled any punches. Most of this chapter is directed at them, with a long litany of woes. Who might Jesus censure today? Television evangelists who become extremely wealthy by soliciting donations from viewers? Politicians who extol "family values" even though they're twice divorced? Church members who are faithful disciples on Sunday but mistreat employees the rest of the week? Ministers who engage in unethical relationships with
parishioners? What would Jesus say to them? What would Jesus say to us? Remind us,
Lord Jesus, that when we think you're talking to someone else, you are also speaking to us.
Jeanne Lischer
Daily Bread
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Spiritual Reading
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Freedom from Codependency, by Philip St. Romain
Chapter 6: What is Christian Love?
- part 4 of 12
- Dysfunctional Beliefs About Love -
part 3 of 5
* "Love means I must never say no to someone in need."
A literal interpretation of this teaching would result in the loss of boundaries that characterizes codependency. Sometimes you
must say no, even to those in need. If you respond to every request for charity that comes your way through television, radio, and the mail, you will go broke. The true Christian value is to remain open in your heart while giving what you can when you can--and that includes giving to family and self.
* "It is better to work than to play."
Many adults have trouble with this one. It is typical that people in dysfunctional families grow up too quickly and miss their childhood. Their parents discouraged child-play and forced them to become too responsible too young. As adults, they still feel guilty when they are not doing something productive. This attitude distorts the Christian value of productive labor.
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